General utility clamp means



March 7, 1961 Filed July 21, 1958 -w. A. FON'KEN 2,973,792

GENERAL UTILITY CLAMP MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 WILLIAM A. FONKEN INVENTOR.

BY M

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WILLIAM A. FONKEN INVENTOR BY M W A FONKEN GENERAL UTILITY CLAMP MEANS March 7, 1961 F'lled July 21 1958 GENERAL UTILITY CLAMP MEANS William A. Fonken, 1531 Sunset Ave, Seattle, i /ash.

Filed July 21, 1958, Ser. No. 749,375

4 Claims. (Cl. 144-303) This present invention relates to the general class of metfl clamps and more particularly to a clamping means having a wide range of utility. It may be used in association with metal ferrules secured in work table tops or at various angular positions therein.

There is an ever increasing need for a convenient to use clamp arrangement that can be quickly adjusted to a clamping position, and then by means of loosening the pressure screw only a small amount, the clamping arrangement can be quickly freed to the end that frequent changes in clamping positions can be achieved. Such a means is in great demand by persons who work in various crafts, either professionally or on an amateur or hobbyist footing. These people generally work a wide range of materials, starting with wood as in carving, or pattern making, or picture frame making and on through the various materials such as plastics, stone, and metals, particularly the softer nonferrous metals. Such people have need for a quick acting clamp that can be quickly adjusted to a wide range of conditions. Their needs are quite far removed from those of the professional workman or the craftsman employed in large jobbing or manufacturing establishments. In such places, they can aiford to have the large, bulky, expensive devices far beyond the range of the average hobbyist. Such commercial devices, normally require considerable setup time and are not of practical value to the persons whose work has been briefly outlined, but is well fitted to shops that are making many units of the same type so that the setup time can be distributed over quite a number of units and the price per unit then becomes relatively low for the time and expense involved in the initial setups.

This present application has certain features in common with my copending application, Serial No. 510,354 which matured into Patent Number 2,877,815. However, this present application has a far greater range of adaptability and is therefore a very marked improvement over the simpler forms shown in my pending application as' noted. In this present application, particular effort has been placed on making it possible to employ a plurality of pressure screws, all disposed in a parallel relationship with each other but which make it possible to quickly and easily make a setup where two or more pressure screws can engage the same work piece and be supported by a common shank. This present equipment is adaptable to a degree that it can be used with the pressure screws used also in opposed relationship and thus form a clamping means for holding a piece of work in fixed relationship but which-permits it to be moved about or to be laid away as a unit with the clamp means to be worked on at a later period. This facility is of particular advantage to the part time craftsman or hobbyist.

The principal object of this present invention, therefore, is to provide lightweight convenient to use clamping means that will have a wide, range. of, adaptability but particularly in accommodating itself to securing work pieces in a wide range of work positions.

A further object of this present invention is to provide means whereby two or more pressure screws may be employed to engage a single piece of work and to have both of the pressure screws supported by the same shank.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for reversing one of the pressure screws, together with its supporting arm so that two pressure screws can engage work from opposite sides and clamp the same between them. It naturally follows that if the two screws have a common supporting shank the work piece clamped between them can be most easily shifted about without losing any relationship between the various parts being assembled, but the angle of presentation of the work can be changed through a very wide range.

A further object of this present invention is to provide means so that pressure screws that are part of an arm assembly may be mounted upon a shank in a manner to insure that the angular relationship can be locked in its adjusted position and thus overcome one of the disadvantages of equipment of this order as it has been employed in the past.

A further object of this invention is to provide a clamping arrangement that admits of very quick engagement of the work or disengagement of it so that many parts of awork piece can be presented in a most favorable position for short operations with a very small percentage of a workmans time being spent in setting up his work or taking it down for a new presentation.

Further objects, advantages and capabilities will be apparent from the description and disclosure in the drawings, or may be comprehended or are inherent in the device.

in the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates one manner in which my equipment may be used and in which the screw supporting arm which is sli-dable on the shank is so positioned that the two pressure screws can work in opposition to each other and thereby clamp work between them as illustrated in. this figure.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, illustrating certain of the locking features embodied in this present equipment.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 5 and showing the shank in section to better illustrate the typical cross section employed at certain points throughout the length of the notched portion of the shank.

Figure 4 is a'perspective view illustrating the use of two pressure clamps supported from a single shank and employed to hold two work pieces in adjusted relation ship to each other while some work operation is to be performed, certain parts of this figure are broken away and sectioned to better illustrate the structure.

Figure 5 is a typical cross sectional view through one of the metal ferrules or bushings used in a work table arrangement and illustrating how the notched portions of the shank engage the bore of the ferrules and the lower rim of the ferrules.

Referring to the drawings, throughout which like reference characters indicate like parts, the numeral 10 designates the shanks of one of my clamp units. This shank with a shaft portion 11 is provided with a plurality of notched steps 12. The exact form of these steps will no doubt be understandable through a study of Figures 1, 3 and 5. Instead of the steps being flat as in my former tool, they are provided with a ridge which is radially disposed with respect to shank l0 and have considerable extent as indicated at 14. These ridges in effect provide a male pointed contact member for association with notched elements to be explained later. The extreme outward extent of ridge 14 as indicated at 16 is achieved by machining away, either the stock of shank 10 or the pattern from which it is made, so that point Patented Mar. 7, 1961 16 is on the circle formed by a radius being swung about the longitudinal axis of shank 10. From this point the metal is worked away in a manner to make an inwardly directed surface 18 which provides for the length of ridge 14, which ridge extends from point 16 to point 20 as noted particularly in Figure 5. At its upper end, as shown in the various views of the drawings, shank It) is provided with a screw supporting and positioning arm 22. This arm is provided at its outer end with an enlarged boss 24 which is suitably threaded to accept the pressure screw 26. Pressure screw 26 may take on the form normally associated with the various types of seat clamps and the like. Such are normally provided with a swivel type foot 28 and an operating bar or handle 30. Where arm 22 merges with shank 10 an increased diameter is provided as at 32 and a downwardly directing point 34 is provided with sutficient radial extent to provide a ridge similar to ridge 14 but disposed in a reversed position.

In association with shank 10 may be one or more additional arms 36. These arms are provided with a boss as 38 so as to position, in a threaded arrangement, a second pressure screw as 40. Engagement of arm 36 with shank 10 is provided by a sleeve-like portion 42. Pressure screw 40 is preferably positioned in axial alignment with pressure screw 26. This sleeve has an interior bore somewhat larger than shank 10 taking on normally the proportions of the showings of Figures 3 and to the end that arm 36 may be disposed at a slight angle to shank in order that it may take full advantage of the notched steps of the shank for positively locking the same against longitudinal movement with respect to shank 10, during any pressure application. As will be noted in Figures 1, 2 and 4, one end face of sleeve 42 is notched at frequent intervals entirely around the face by V notches 44 of a type to operatively engage ridges 14- or the opposed point 34.

In one of the uses to which this equipment is adaptable, shank 10 is disposed within a metal ferrule arrangement 50 which passes through a work table top as 52 or other supporting means so that the axis of bushing 50 may be placed at any angular position that particularly adapts it to its purpose. Bushing 50 is preferably provided with a flange, either round or square as indicated at 54. The structure illustrated in Figure 5 is a particularly economical way of producing this bushing in that the bushing 50 and flange 54 may be fixedly joined together by swedging or welding or a combination of the two processes, and this particularly makes it possible to have a portion of bushing 50 extend out beyond flange 54 so that it may be notched as at 56 in a manner to suitably engage the ridges 14 formed on the surface of shank 10. Flange 54 is normally preferably secured to its supporting surfaces as by a plurality of screws passing through openings 58 in flange 54.

Method of operation In using my improved clamping means it will be found that a wide variety of different setups can be made. In each of them, however, it normally is a relatively simple matter to move shank 10 approximately to the final position desired and to engage one of the steps in a locking arrangement with a bushing 50 and the amount of adjustment that must be made by the pressure screws 26 or 40 will normally always be less than any one step spacing. This characteristic means that the clamp can be quickly set into clamping position or when the need is over the clamp means can be very quickly released from the clamped position which is an important feature of this arrangement in that it means a great saving of time to the user of the equipment.

Referring to Figure 4, the fixed unit, including the shank 10, arm 22 and pressure screw 26 is shown in a position to hold a work piece as 60 in clamped position on a work table top as 52. If it is desirable to also fixedly position a second work piece as 62 it can be done by the proper orientation of clamp arm 36 and by revolving the same so that screw 40 is in proper position and then engaging ridge 34 in one of the notches 44 of sleeve portion 42. This will insure a fixed relationship between arms 22 and 36 throughout the entire setting by their engagement in this instance with shank 10.

Referring to Figure l clamp arm 36 is shown in a position so as to place screws 26 and 40 in opposition to each other so that both pieces as 64 and 66 may be held in fixed relationship with respect to each other and with respect to shank 10 and the clamp arms associated therewith. In this instance the sleeve portion 42 of arm 36 will have one of its notches 44 engaging one of the ridges 14 of shank l0 and thus by a suitable choice of notches the axial alignment of screws 26 and 40 can be assured which means there will be no tendency to cant members 64 and 66. It follows that with members 64 and 66 clamped in the manner outlined they become a unit with shank 10 and its associated parts and the whole assembly can be worked on at any suitable position merely by using the clamp means as a C clamp, in effect, or shank 10 may be employed in association with any one of a plurality of bushings 50 if such is desired. The accompanying drawings have been developed in some detail in order to illustrate the adaptability of this clamping arrangement to a wide variety of practical uses and therefore to insure complete understanding of the practical workability of this equipment.

It is believed that it will be clearly apparent from the above description and the disclosure in the drawings that the invention comprehends a novel construction of a general utility clamp means.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. A general utility clamp means, comprising: a shank having a shaft portion and a fixed clamp arm disposed at substantially right angles thereto, said arm having a threaded opening disposed parallel to said shaft portion; a threaded pressure screw operably disposed in said threaded opening; said shaft portion having spaced notched steps on the same side as said clamp arm and each notch having abutment faces sloping upwardly, toward said clamp arm, which terminate in a ridge disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said shaft portion; a ferrule adapted to slidably receive said shaft portion, said ferrule having a slightly larger internal diameter than the external diameter of the shaft so as to be loosely mounted on the shaft, a flange secured to said ferrule near one end thereof to provide an outstanding end rim which is provided with V notches to fit the ridges of said notched steps; a separate second clamp arm having a threaded opening at one end adapted to receive a pressure screw and a sleeve at the opposite end disposed with its axis parallel to the axis of said threaded opening, adapted to be slidably positioned on the shaft portion of said shank; said sleeve having a slightly larger internal diameter than the external diameter of the shaft so as to be loosely mounted on the shaft, V notches on the end face of said sleeve corresponding to the handle end of a pressure screw engaged in said threaded opening of said second clamp arm and said V notches on said sleeve adapted to operatively engage the ridges on said shank to angularly and longitudinally position said second arm with respect to said shank.

2. A general utility clamp means, comprising: a shank having a shaft portion and a fixed clamp arm disposed at substantially right angles thereto, said arm having a threaded opening disposed parallel to said shaft portion; a pressure screw engageable with said threaded opening; said shaft portion having spaced notched steps on the same side as said clamp arm and each step having abutment faces sloping upwardly, toward said clamp arm, which terminate in a radial ridge disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said shaft portion; a second clamp arm having a threaded opening at one end adapted to receive a pressure screw and a sleeve at the opposite end disposed with its axis parallel to the axis of said threaded opening adapted to be slidably positioned on the shaft portion of said shank; said sleeve having a slightly larger internal diameter than the external diameter so as to be loosely mounted on the shaft, V notches on the end face of said sleeve corresponding to the handle end of a pressure screw engaged in said threaded opening of said second clamp arm and said V notches adapted to operatively engage the ridges on said shank steps to angularly and longitudinally position said second arm with respect to said shank.

3. A general utility clamp means, comprising: a shank element having a shaft portion and a fixed clamp arm disposed at substantially right angles thereto, said arm having a threaded opening disposed parallel to said shaft portion and a pressure screw engaged in said threaded opening; said shaft portion having spaced notched steps on the same side as said clamp armand each step having abutment faces sloping upwardly, toward said clamp arm, which terminate in a radial ridge disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said shaft portion, and a ferrule adapted to slidably receive said shaft portion, said ferrule having a slightly larger internal diameter than the external diameter of the shaft so as to be loosely mounted on the shaft, a flange secured to said ferrule, near one end but displaced from the end sufficient to provide an outstanding end rim which is provided with V notches to fit the radial ridges of said steps.

4. A general utility clamp means, comprising: a shank having a portion of shaft form terminating at its upper end in a right angle arm portion; the shaft portion having a plurality of spaced, notched steps each having on its upper surface, a ridge radially disposed with respect to said shaft portion; said right angle arm portion having a threaded boss at the end thereof adapted to position a pressure screw parallel to said shaft portion; a flanged ferrule of slightly larger internal diameter than the external diameter of the shaft adapted to loosely and slidably receive said shaft portion of the shank and said ferrule having V notches on its end surface adjacent the flanged end adapted to receive said radially disposed ridges of said steps to position said shank angularly and longitudinally of said ferrule; a separate, second arm, slidable and reversible on said shaft portion; a pressure screw threaded into the boss at the end of said second arm and in axial alignment with said pressure screw of the.

right angle arm portion of said shank, said second arm having a sleeve portion adapted to slidably engage the shaft por-tion of said shank; said sleeve having a slightly larger internal diameter than the external diameter of the shaft so as to be loosely mounted on the shaft; V notches in the end face of said sleeve portion on the same side of said second arm as the handle of said second pressure screw and a downwardly directed ridge positioned at the end of said shaft portion adjacent the right angle arm portion adapted to engage the V notches, of said second arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 135,882 Bonney Feb. 18, 1873 943,255 Keene Dec. 14, 1909 2,877,815 Fonken Mar. 17, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 547,992 Great Britain Sept. 21, 1942 

